2013 MKZ Hybrid electrical failure

[tcsdoc]

I've had this car for a month and tried to start the car. There was a 'burning electrical smell' coming from the car and half the console lights, display screen, and other accessories do not function. The car has been in the shop for a week with numerous hotline calls to Ford. They have replaced an "interface module" and other components but have been unsuccessful in repairing the car. Does anyone have similar problems with a 2013 MKZ Hybrid?
I need to contact Lincoln to address this issue as the repair is taking too long. I don't fault my dealership as they can only do what the Ford engineers recommend.

Any suggestions?

Update: Contacted Lincoln but haven't heard from my support rep yet. They still don't have a solution to the problem. I contact the dealership every day to get updates. Lincoln's latest suggestion is a potential battery issue but all tests show good. I'm really worried about the car even if they do get it working. I'm to receive a phone call from the Service Manager today to see what direction things are headed.

The car broke down on April 13th (a Saturday) and today is April 23rd. This is too long of a repair.

 

[Maxima10]

That's horrible.

I haven't heard or read anything like this before.

 

[Serraph]

I've had this car for a month and tried to start the car. There was a 'burning electrical smell' coming from the car and half the console lights, display screen, and other accessories do not function. The car has been in the shop for a week with numerous hotline calls to Ford. They have replaced an "interface module" and other components but have been unsuccessful in repairing the car. Does anyone have similar problems with a 2013 MKZ Hybrid?
I need to contact Lincoln to address this issue as the repair is taking too long. I don't fault my dealership as they can only do what the Ford engineers recommend.

Any suggestions?

That's the first I've heard of it. Will keep an eye on other forums if they see something like that.

 

[xgman]

ouch. . . .

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[Jimflutes]

tcsdoc, This is very disconcerting news. Please keep us updated. I do not like the fact that they have had the car a week,and still not fixed. I hope your ordeal will soon end. Jim

 

[tcsdoc]

Thanks for your concern. The dealership contacted me today and asked for my second key fob. Some of the modules they replaced required them to reprogram the security system. I talked to the Service Manager and was informed the car now ceases to function at all. No lights, console, display, etc. My hope is Ford will send down an engineer to assist. I'm told repairs need to be further than the 2nd week before that happens but I can still hope. I really appreciate my dealership keeping me provided with Lincoln's to ride around in. I guess I should give them a plug...

Estabrook Ford/Lincoln in Pascagoula, MS.

 

[Serraph]

Thanks for your concern. The dealership contacted me today and asked for my second key fob. Some of the modules they replaced required them to reprogram the security system. I talked to the Service Manager and was informed the car now ceases to function at all. No lights, console, display, etc. My hope is Ford will send down an engineer to assist. I'm told repairs need to be further than the 2nd week before that happens but I can still hope. I really appreciate my dealership keeping me provided with Lincoln's to ride around in. I guess I should give them a plug...

Estabrook Ford/Lincoln in Pascagoula, MS.

That's good that they are providing you with some great service and loaner. Speaking of a loaner/rental, do they offer all Lincoln customers with Lincoln car loaners or just any available car (Toyota,Ford,Nissa,etc) while your vehicle is being repaired/serviced?

 

[tcsdoc]

An update to things: The service technicians still cannot figure out what is wrong with the car. It went from 'dead' to alive but spitting out numerous codes. They are waiting for the Lincoln hotline folks to see what direction to go next.

About Lincoln's Customer Care:
I waited two days but never heard from Lincoln's Customer Care. I decided to contact them and was very disappointed with the results. First, the number I was given, 800 521 4140 rings and rings until it rolls over and the Lincoln Road Service answers. After numerous menu's, I finally got to a person who gave me a different number to call, 800 521 4144 which turns out to be Ford's Customer Care. They finally got me in touch with Lincoln's Customer Care where I was informed I had to wait 48 hours and according to their records, my call was at 3:34pm and it was only 2:09pm.
Unbelievable! I told them my car was in the shop since April 13th and I wanted to speak to someone now. "Someone will call back shortly". Surprise, they called back after 3:34pm. My rep, Cassidy, basically told me what my service department had already told me about the car's status but could offer no new information or reassure me things were going to get better.
Lincoln Customer Care is starting to sound like Lincoln Customer Don't Care.

As a side issue, the MKZ Hybrid does not come with a spare tire (no room). Lincoln Road Side Service states in the event of a flat time, they will only change a tire. I ask Cassidy what happens if I get a flat? She has to research the answer and will get back with me. I would think Lincoln would have a response to such an obvious question. At present, the Hybrid comes with an air pump and a can of Fix-a-Flat. That's ok if you got a small leak but what if the tire is damaged and can't hold air? I can't wait to hear the response.

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[answrman]

As a side issue, the MKZ Hybrid does not come with a spare tire (no room). Lincoln Road Side Service states in the event of a flat time, they will only change a tire. I ask Cassidy what happens if I get a flat? She has to research the answer and will get back with me. I would think Lincoln would have a response to such an obvious question. At present, the Hybrid comes with an air pump and a can of Fix-a-Flat. That's ok if you got a small leak but what if the tire is damaged and can't hold air? I can't wait to hear the response.

Man, I'm sorry to hear about your pain. I too had the same question about the air pump and fix-a-flat. I've got a little over 500 miles on my 2013 MKZ Hybrid and really hope I don't run into the same issues. I'm going to be seriously ticked off if they come back and say that road side service doesn't cover hybrids.

Were there any signs leading up to the problem with the electrical system?

Hang in there...hopefully they get a resolution to the problem soon!

 

[Jimflutes]

tcscoc, I do not like how Lincoln is handling your problem. My car is on order to arrive the middle of June. If they do not handle your case better than you are reporting,I will seriously have to rethink what I am getting into. The no spare tire idea is not good,what do they have for the non-hybrid models. If they have the doughnut tire for non-hybrids I would rather have one of them to throw in the trunk for my long trips. Jim

 

[tcsdoc]

I'm driving a non-hybrid now. It has a 'donut' spare.
There isn't room for a spare in a hybrid. The battery takes up too much space. The trunk on my hybrid is small. Something to think about if taking a family vacation.

I still haven't heard back from Lincoln but will give them a couple more hours.

 

[tcsdoc]

New info: My car is reassembled and they are test driving. There are still a couple of codes generated but they hope to have is sorted out soon.
One thing not mentioned other hybrid owners need to be aware of. On my car, every time I accelerate from a stop and every time I slow to stop, there is a click sound coming from under the dashboard on the drivers side. I was initially told this was due to the anti-lock brakes. Now I'm told the car should not be doing it. If you have this, contact the dealer.

Official word on roadside assistance for the spare tire-less hybrid: They are to use the 'Air Mobility Kit' (battery powered air pump and a can of Fix-A-Flat) and if that fails, to tow the car to the nearest dealer so you can purchase a new tire.
I don't know about you but a flat tire should not be such an ordeal. Imagine a flat on a Friday night while on vacation in a remote part of the country. I wish I had thought this out myself. Given the hassles I've had with Lincoln Customer Care, I don't think I will risk taking my car on a long trip. Remember National Lampoon's "Vacation"?

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[Jimflutes]

tcsdoc, You so right. OK the trunk is going to be smaller,but to spend this kind of money for a car and then go through towing because the fix a flat(which you can buy anywhere) did not inflate the tire is sad.I do not have an answer for the small space/spare puzzle.But we hear that Lincoln put a lot of thought into this new Z model and there are very high paid engineers that should have come up with something better then the fix a flat idea. I do not have a family,so most times I am traveling alone, and buying a doughnut spare to put in the trunk for long trips is an option for me. So the first sign of trouble was the clicking sound under the dash driver side when accelerating and slowing down.It sounds as if they are really trying to get your car back to new. I hope that once you get it back,and have driven for awhile,you will be again confident to go anywhere with it. Than you for the updates,I look forward to reading them as I will soon be riding this model. I do feel good that no one else has reported such happenings with their hybrids. Jim

 

[Serraph]

New info: My car is reassembled and they are test driving. There are still a couple of codes generated but they hope to have is sorted out soon.
One thing not mentioned other hybrid owners need to be aware of. On my car, every time I accelerate from a stop and every time I slow to stop, there is a click sound coming from under the dashboard on the drivers side. I was initially told this was due to the anti-lock brakes. Now I'm told the car should not be doing it. If you have this, contact the dealer.

Official word on roadside assistance for the spare tire-less hybrid: They are to use the 'Air Mobility Kit' (battery powered air pump and a can of Fix-A-Flat) and if that fails, to tow the car to the nearest dealer so you can purchase a new tire.
I don't know about you but a flat tire should not be such an ordeal. Imagine a flat on a Friday night while on vacation in a remote part of the country. I wish I had thought this out myself. Given the hassles I've had with Lincoln Customer Care, I don't think I will risk taking my car on a long trip. Remember National Lampoon's "Vacation"?

That's what mine sounds like. My service dealer is ordering the parts to fix it but I doubt it's the correct part. There is no recall or a permanent fix for this as of yet. There is no harm in driving it and no safety hazard issues. Here is a forum posting thread for the Fusion. Seems there are a small number of Fusion that has this issue. It's more of a pop/crack sound. Here is a link for you to look. If that's the case then you might have what I have as well although there isn't a lot of reports on this sound because most people just think it's part of the hybrid system turning on/off etc. This sound is totally not part of it and seems to be coming from near the front.

http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/6180-cracking-noise/

 

[Jimflutes]

Hi all, Wow,I just read the ford forum on this problem. This has me really concerned about accepting my ordered car in June. Please keep posting updates on this very important matter. Now I do not want to beat the spare tire thing to death,but the 2013 Toyota Avalon hybrid (direct competitor to our car,but not as good looking),does have a spare tire. But,from what I am seeing ,most manufactures are thinking about replacing the spare tire with inflation devices for future models. I appreciate all this information from the members here. Jim

 

[MKZLover]

Yes!!!! I 'm having the same issues!!!!

Crap!!! This is VERY BAD news as I did not have 100 miles on MKZ Hybrid and the center stack console lights went out. Errors codes abound and the air bag malfunction light comes on. They replaced the entire center stack console earlier in the week and all was well until yesterday, when the lights started dimming and then getting brighter and then going off and on. I think it's a power surge issue in the car. I also smelled something burning when I turned the air off. I hope this is not a sign of things to come:-(

I've had this car for a month and tried to start the car. There was a 'burning electrical smell' coming from the car and half the console lights, display screen, and other accessories do not function. The car has been in the shop for a week with numerous hotline calls to Ford. They have replaced an "interface module" and other components but have been unsuccessful in repairing the car. Does anyone have similar problems with a 2013 MKZ Hybrid?
I need to contact Lincoln to address this issue as the repair is taking too long. I don't fault my dealership as they can only do what the Ford engineers recommend.

Any suggestions?

Update: Contacted Lincoln but haven't heard from my support rep yet. They still don't have a solution to the problem. I contact the dealership every day to get updates. Lincoln's latest suggestion is a potential battery issue but all tests show good. I'm really worried about the car even if they do get it working. I'm to receive a phone call from the Service Manager today to see what direction things are headed.

The car broke down on April 13th (a Saturday) and today is April 23rd. This is too long of a repair.

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[MKZLover]

Same problem with my 2013 mkz

I'm having the same issue but not as severe. Center stack console lights did not work for the first 100 miles. they replaced the entire center stack and all was well for a few days but, yesterday, the lights went out twice and then dimmed and then went out again and then came on this morning. There's a short somewhere and a funny electrical smell if you turn off the A/C and you're driving down the highway.

I've had this car for a month and tried to start the car. There was a 'burning electrical smell' coming from the car and half the console lights, display screen, and other accessories do not function. The car has been in the shop for a week with numerous hotline calls to Ford. They have replaced an "interface module" and other components but have been unsuccessful in repairing the car. Does anyone have similar problems with a 2013 MKZ Hybrid?
I need to contact Lincoln to address this issue as the repair is taking too long. I don't fault my dealership as they can only do what the Ford engineers recommend.

Any suggestions?

Update: Contacted Lincoln but haven't heard from my support rep yet. They still don't have a solution to the problem. I contact the dealership every day to get updates. Lincoln's latest suggestion is a potential battery issue but all tests show good. I'm really worried about the car even if they do get it working. I'm to receive a phone call from the Service Manager today to see what direction things are headed.

The car broke down on April 13th (a Saturday) and today is April 23rd. This is too long of a repair.

 

[MKZLover]

Why is my response being removed???? I have the same problem with my MKZ 2013.

 

[MKZLover]

**** you and your ****ing forum, *******s

 

[Jimflutes]

MKZLover, I hope no one is removing your post,because as a person who has one on order (June) I am very much interested in this reporting ,now it seems more than one owner of the Z hybrid is having this problem,and some on the Ford fusion hybrid forum. I want the car,but if Lincoln can't satisfy those who already own one,this will make me have a tough decision to make in June. Please keep us updated on this. Jim